Mary-Brenda Akoda, the 2026 Nigeria Prize for Science and Innovation (NPSI) winner, unveiled her groundbreaking innovation, GenScanAI, at Vibranium Valley in Ikeja, Lagos, on October 13. GenScanAI is an artificial intelligence-powered medical imaging solution that has the potential to reduce magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan times by up to 90%, improve image quality, and enhance overall healthcare delivery without requiring new MRI hardware.
The public presentation, organised by NLNG, brought together medical practitioners, healthcare professionals, researchers, academics, students, and technology stakeholders to explore the science behind GenScanAI, its potential applications, and its contribution to addressing critical challenges in medical imaging and diagnostic services. GenScanAI applies artificial intelligence and advanced computing techniques to MRI image reconstruction, enabling hospitals and diagnostic centres to examine more patients using their existing MRI infrastructure.
Akoda's innovation could significantly improve equipment utilisation, drastically reduce waiting times, and support more timely diagnoses and treatments. By reducing the time required to acquire MRI scans while maintaining or improving image quality, GenScanAI could be particularly beneficial to hospitals and diagnostic centres managing high patient volumes. This breakthrough promises to improve patient throughput and reduce wait times without the immediate need to procure additional, costly MRI equipment.
Sophia Horsfall, NLNG's General Manager, External Relations and Sustainable Development, noted that GenScanAI addresses a crucial healthcare need, particularly in a country where rapid population growth places increasing demands on diagnostic services. She added that the public presentation was a vital opportunity to take the winning innovation beyond the Prize adjudication process and encourage active engagement with the medical and research communities.
The 2026 edition of the Nigeria Prize for Science and Innovation focused on "Innovations in Artificial Intelligence or ICT or Digital Technologies for Development," reflecting the growing role of digital technologies in addressing societal challenges and advancing national development. Akoda emerged as the winner following a rigorous evaluation of more than 230 entries, showcasing the excellence of her innovation and its potential to contribute to healthcare delivery.
The engagement at Vibranium Valley reinforced the importance of connecting scientific discovery with the professionals, institutions, and communities that can translate innovation into practical, life-saving benefits. NLNG facilitated the public presentation as part of its ongoing efforts to provide a platform for the winning innovation to be shared with relevant stakeholders and to encourage dialogue on its potential applications.
GenScanAI's capacity to accommodate patient motion and improve image quality could also support more effective imaging, subject to appropriate clinical evaluation and validation. The innovation has the potential to transform the healthcare sector, and its unveiling marks a significant milestone in the application of artificial intelligence and computing to address practical healthcare challenges in Nigeria.
Key points
- GenScanAI reduces MRI scan times by up to 90% without requiring new MRI hardware.
- The innovation improves image quality and enhances overall healthcare delivery.
- GenScanAI addresses a crucial healthcare need in Nigeria, where rapid population growth places increasing demands on diagnostic services.
